Survivor Special '79 - 6737km

lakeview · Mar 7, 2023

Picked up a parts bike from a fellow who is building a '75 into a cafe. Was not intending to until I saw the speedo showing low miles and the bits I was getting seemed to be in a condition consistent with that number. Short a bunch of stuff, but I think I have enough spares to put together a stock bike. The motor and frame numbers match and the key fits 2 locks. The lump doesn't look like it has been opened and the frame is unmolested.
Unfortunately, I need to get a title before any more money is spent. Here in Ontario there is an affidavit process which I have done in the past, so I will do some searches first (last owner registered it in Windsor in 1984!) and prepare some paperwork.

AndersJ · Mar 7, 2023

Post what you're missing as you move forward. I have special parts laying around and no special to make them a home. Would love to see this come together.

Jan_P · Mar 7, 2023

Looks as a first class starting point Wheels and Exhaust ( Original ) Tank .Carbureors .would have been a Plus.
But many would try this one .Depending on price of course
But this is how i like them Low mileage ..And not to fine exterior

Being careful at the startup --Best case don't even have to open the top end for 3 -4 -5 years Perhaps more Bolt it together and ride.

lakeview · Mar 8, 2023

Frame Rub a Dub; Engine Install
Today it was a couple degrees above freezing, but sunny, so I sprayed and scrubbed the frame and then bolted in the engine.
Too bad, someone has cut off the side stand mount. Fortunately, the centre stand is still attached so no worries.

5twins · Mar 9, 2023

I see it has that all too common slight head gasket leak caused by those rubber head nut washers, lol.

jetmechmarty · Mar 11, 2023

lakeview said:
Too bad, someone has cut off the side stand mount. Fortunately, the centre stand is still attached so no worries.

I have a junk frame. I already cut out the side stand mount. All I have to do is find it. My garage is only 400 square feet. How hard can it be? :umm:

lakeview · Mar 11, 2023

Ya Won't Get Far Like That!
Spent a happy afternoon mocking up the front end (worn out fork tubes are there just to align headlight ears) so I can connect the wiring. Used all 38 ball bearings.
Maybe by end of day tomorrow it will make some noise.

5twins · Mar 11, 2023

lakeview said:
Used all 38 ball bearings .....

I would never, lol.

jetmechmarty · Mar 12, 2023

lakeview said:
Used all 38 ball bearings.

What size is the tool for that and what is it called?

jetmechmarty · Mar 12, 2023

5twins said:
I would never, lol.

My XS650SK has tapered roller bearings. No complaints. I swapped years ago after brinelling took out the original bearings. I recently replaced brinelled tapered roller bearings on a ZG1000 Kawasaki. They aren't immune.

I just reserviced the original bearings on my XS650SH. Torque set by calibrated elbow. It's not as easy as with tapered bearings. Anyhow, two bikes side by side, SK and SH. I understand other variables, however I can feel the difference in the steering between the two. The OE bearings feel less resistance.

Brinelled

lakeview · Mar 12, 2023

For now, it's going together with existing parts. Trying to empty some shelves.

jetmechmarty · Mar 12, 2023

lakeview said:
For now, it's going together with existing parts. Trying to empty some shelves.

I fully support that. As I putz in the garage today, I'll try to remember where I put that piece of frame.

lakeview · Mar 12, 2023

Magic Button Works!
Another few hours this morning and then this afternoon and great progress. Got enough wiring connected to get the starter to spin and it did so without that horrible noise - all good.

However, someone has been into the side cover without paying attention to the kickstart spring as it will not rotate the engine.
Plus the tach drive/oil pump looks like it needs some attention so pulling the cover and putting it right is for tomorrow. Also inspecting/cleaning the oil screens, checking clearances and so on.
Amazing how a new project can get an old guy out of his chair, even on cloudy day.

lakeview · Mar 13, 2023

Today was title day. Drafted an affidavit that fulfilled Service Ontario's requirements (you may know that place as a licence bureau or dmv in your area) to replace the ownership (title or permit) when last registered owner cannot be found, had it sworn at a lawyer's office, spent half a tense hour with a strict but fair bureaucrat who had to call head office because of the short VIN, paid about $30 to replace the lost ownership, paid the same to have it then registered in my name, then 13% sale tax on the declared value, no appraisals needed for bikes and out the door with my precious piece of paper.
Tomorrow I plan to pull the side and bottom covers off, will report back on what I find.

lakeview · Mar 14, 2023

Lucky Today!
I changed the bottom oil screen and mount plate, nothing remarkable there, the gasket surfaces were fairly easy to clean, all good.
But the side cover, taken off to check the tach drive, oil pump, kick start I got lucky. Bike horizontal and me swabbing out the dregs of oil, this little thin washer falls out of the cloth onto the work surface.
Yup it was that little washer under the tach drive that had been dislodged by a prior wrencher. Glad I saw it before it went someplace inaccessible.
I thought that same person had messed up the kickstart return spring, but on reassembly, it worked just fine.
Next I will tighten all the mount bolts and check clearances. The points look pretty crusty, will need more of a filing than a flick.

Jan_P · Mar 14, 2023

A bit strange someone has been in there at 6800 km and
the head leaking --the leak perhaps but the other ?

lakeview · Mar 14, 2023

Jan_P said:
A bit strange someone has been in there at 6800 km and
the head leaking --the leak perhaps but the other ?

It had been slated to be a parts bike for a cafe build and I think a guy was just taking stuff apart.

lakeview · Mar 14, 2023

Thinking more about it, I am guessing someone decided to grab the threaded cable boss, loosened the set screw, took it. Had that person took off the side cover, the kick start spring would have messed up.

AndersJ · Mar 14, 2023

Some people open stuff up for fun Don't ask how I know

lakeview said:
Lucky Today!
I changed the bottom oil screen and mount plate, nothing remarkable there, the gasket surfaces were fairly easy to clean, all good.
But the side cover, taken off to check the tach drive, oil pump, kick start I got lucky. Bike horizontal and me swabbing out the dregs of oil, this little thin washer falls out of the cloth onto the work surface.
Yup it was that little washer under the tach drive that had been dislodged by a prior wrencher. Glad I saw it before it went someplace inaccessible.
I thought that same person had messed up the kickstart return spring, but on reassembly, it worked just fine.
Next I will tighten all the mount bolts and check clearances. The points look pretty crusty, will need more of a filing than a flick.

Had a little "Oh SH*T moment reading this

Thrust washer?? under the tach drive? That I removed yesterday??...Pulled the clutch cover in the last minutes of daylight. Success. Learn something new every day.

46th Georgia · Mar 14, 2023

AndersJ said:
Some people open stuff up for fun Don't ask how I know

Had a little "Oh SH*T moment reading this Thrust washer?? under the tach drive? That I removed yesterday??...Pulled the clutch cover in the last minutes of daylight. Success. Learn something new every day.

Yeah, I gotta store that info away too. That's why I read almost every post. You just never know.

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